This Week, London Top 10: 27th June
June 27, 2007
This week’s list: don’t get wet.
To subscribe to the weekly email “This Week – London” please send an email to info@unearthtravel.com with the subject “Subscribe”.
- The Summer Season - Wimbledon & Henley
Henley (4-8 July), Wimbledon (25 June - 8 July)
Prepare for Strawberries & Cream, Boaters & Blazers and pints of Pimm’s, the Summer Season has arrived! Ascot has passed but the best is still to come! See Tiger Tim battle his way through the Lawn Tennis Championships or sit by Sir Steve at HRR as you revel in fits of bacchic and sporting debauchery.
- Leon Kossoff
National Gallery, 14 March - 1 July 2007, Free
“In 1936, at the age of ten, Leon Kossoff found his way from Hackney to the steps of the National Gallery. At first, never having seen a painting before, he was awestruck.” Later, as an art student Kossoff was increasingly drawn to the National Gallery as a source of inspiration. He became emotionally intertwined with the works, drawing and redrawing them over and over, transforming the classical oil paintings into his own charcoal sketches and prints. Kossoff’s subtlety of form and powerful use of tones make his works feel dynamic and compelling, bringing his sources of inspiration to life.
- Friday Late - Sing London
V&A, 29 June, 18.30-22.00, Free
This month, Friday Late invites you to join a “magical singing extravaganza” as the V&A sees the launch of Sing London. The ten day London-wide festival aims to unite the capital in a celebration of song. So, warm up your voice, prepare to stretch your vocal cords and join in! However, you may prefer to sit back, enjoy the music at the bar and watch others giving it a “go”.
- Hockney on Turner Watercolours
Tate Britain, 11 June – 3 February, Free
“Dazzling, evocative and sublime, this exhibition provides a rare opportunity to see some of JMW Turner’s most spectacular works. Usually outnumbered by his grand oil paintings, around 150 of Turner’s beautiful watercolours are displayed, giving a comprehensive view of the artist’s astonishing use of watercolour, his techniques and his influences.
At the heart of the exhibition another seminal British artist, David Hockney, presents his own selection of Turner’s unique colour studies or ‘beginnings’ and also provides commentary on the artist’s techniques.”
- London Literature Festival
Southbank Centre, 29 June - 12 July, Free to £35 (Average £8)
This summer, the Southbank Centre launches the London Literature Festival. Two weeks of literature, ideas, creative writing and performance will take place in centre’s indoor and outdoor spaces and feature international and prize-winning authors, historians, poets, performers and artists.
- Appearing Rooms
Southbank Centre, 8 June - 16 September , 10:00 - 22:00, Free
Appearing Rooms returns to the Southbank Centre! This is a fantastic and fun water sculpture inviting visitors to enter the “aquatic pavilion” and walk through rooms walled by water, but watch out, the walls move and you could get wet.
- Little Angel Theatre
Tickets adults £8, children £6
Pop along to the little angel theatre in Islington to see something a little different - puppetry. They have a variety of shows, most aimed at children but some just for adults (Puppet Grinder Cabaret) that are bound to provide you with a bit of a different Saturday night.
- Music in the Yard - Papa Noel & Bana Congo
Guildhall Yard, 2 July, 12:30, Free
City Workers. Instead of spending your lunchtime at your desk get down to the Guildhall to see “one of the greats of African music”, Papa Noel and the Cuban eleven piece, Bana Congo. Take a detour from Pret and go!
- Soundwaves - Kinetica
Art that explores, warps, collects and manipulates sounds. A new wave in Sonic Art.
- UBS Openings: Saturday Live
Guy de Cointet: Tell Me, 30 June, 22:30-23:00
“Tate Modern presents a re-creation of one of French artist Guy de Cointet’s influential and visually stunning plays, Tell Me.” “Tell Me is a performance about abstraction and language; staging the question of how reality is perceived and interpreted. Striking visual elements of form and colour make up the set design. The three characters use, discuss and inhabit their theatrical environment in unexpected ways.”
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If you have ideas for next week, or want to have your say, leave a comment or send me an email (info@unearthtravel.com) Jeremy Boote
This Week, London Top 10: 20th June
June 20, 2007
This week’s list: give me more! more! more!
To subscribe to the weekly email “This Week – London” please send an email to info@unearthtravel.com with the subject “Subscribe”.
- Taste of London
Marylebone Green, Regent’s Park, 21-24 June, £21/35
The Taste of London festival is the capital’s most prestigious food and drink festival. It is packed with delicacies to tempt the most ardent dieters. Head to the champagne tent or to the port tasting at the Cockburn’s Port Hole. Make your way to the Alesi Cookery School or sample beers at the Speciality Beer Masterclass. Relax to the sounds of Jazz and Cuban bands or for a bit more excitement watch top bartenders battling it out to win one of eight spots at 42 Below’s Extreme Cocktail World Cup.
- Dalí & Film
Tate Modern, 1 June-9 September, £11
Dalí & Film is a unique and unparalleled exhibition focusing on the central role of cinema on one of the twentieth century’s most celebrated and respected artists. Dalí believed that cinema was an antidote for the antiquated pretensions of high culture. The medium was used both as an inspiration and a creative outlet for experimentation, to express both foresight into the future of society and his creative flair and bizarre brilliance.
- Amused Moose – Amazing Night Out
Moonlighting Nightclub, 23 June, £5, Doors 7:30
The Amused Moose is a multi-award winning comedy club. This week is the third semi-final of the Amused Moose Laugh Off 2007, highlighting the upcoming talents of Jack Whitenal, Andi Osho, Andy Naylor, Gareth Richard, Matt Rudge, Joe Bor and Luke McQueen. With jugs of beer aplenty and the dance floor staying open until 5am, get your groove on.
- Exhibition Road Music Day
Exhibition Road, 21 June, 10am-midnight
Exhibition road will burst into life this weekend in a festival celebrating musical diversity. This year there is a spectacular line-up of 70 national and international talents, showcasing global sounds and musical styles on 15 indoor and outdoor stages up and down Exhibition Road.
- London Wetland Centre
Barnes, London, £8.75
“The 43 hectare London Wetland Centre is the best urban site in Europe to watch wildlife, an international award winning visitor attraction and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Located on the banks of the River Thames in Barnes, Southwest London the centre is home to rare and beautiful wildlife including Bitterns, Kingfishers and a colony of endangered Water voles.” So, hop on your bike and head over to Barnes.
- Ice Station Antarctica
Natural History Museum, 25 May - 20 April 2008, £7
Do you have what it takes to survive the coldest, windiest and most remote place on Earth? Find out at Ice Station Antarctica! As an ice cadet you will experience minus 10 degrees, the noise and smell of working in a penguin colony and getting into artic gear. Although the exhibition is aimed at the younger end of society, it still looks like a lot of fun and is worth a visit.
- The Grand Tour
The West End has been transformed into a giant gallery. Full sized prints of some of the world’s most famous paintings line the streets of Soho, Piccadilly and Covent Garden. Check out the website, pick a walking tour, download an MP3 and enjoy the tour.
- Proms in the Park
Hyde Park, 8 September, (Tickets on Sale) £23.00
Tickets went on sale for the “PROMS IN THE PARK” last week. Get your flags out, start waving and join in a British Tradition.
- Chessington World of Adventures
Roller Coasters, Bubble Rides, Candy Floss and more… It’s less than an hour from city and as the the sun is shinning it is the perfect time to go.
- Falklands 25th Anniversary Exhibition
16 May - 6 January
What better way to gain an insight into the Falklands war than through the accounts and memorabilia of those that fought in the most recent invasion of British territory?
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If you have ideas for next week, or want to have your say, leave a comment or send me an email (info@unearthtravel.com) Jeremy Boote
This Week, London Top 10: 12th June
June 12, 2007
This week’s list: grow your own fruit, dress up as a gorilla and drink a Mojito: it’s all a bit bananas really!
To subscribe to the weekly email “This Week – London” please send an email to info@unearthtravel.com with the subject “Subscribe”.
- Sundae on the Common
12-8pm, Sunday 29th July, Clapham Common, £8.75 (On Sale)
Sundae On The Common promises to be as “moovelous” as ever. In between gorging yourself on the UNLIMTED ICE CREAM you can rest your weary belly and enjoy great bands like The Proclaimers and The Ordinary Boys, take a trip to the City Farm, discover your fortune from Mystic Moo, wiz down the Helter Skelter or take a ride on the Frozen Yogurt Swing Boats. Tickets sell like hot-cakes…
- Carnival de Cuba
Southwark Park, June 16/17, Free
Get into the spirit, rhythm and vibe of the Caribbean at the Carnival de Cuba, the largest Cuban festival in Europe. Start with tropical fruit smoothies and Cuban grub, and then grab a couple of Mojitos, make a move for the dance floor and absorb the tunes of Sur Caribe, Pedrito Calvo and the Reaggaeton line-up.
- The Press Photographer’s Year Exhibition
National Theatre, June 18 – July 28, Free
The Press Photographer’s Year returns to the NT after last year’s inaugural exhibition. It showcases the outstanding snaps taken for and used by the UK media. If you are ever on the Southbank, just pop along!
- Innocent Village Fete
Regents Park, 4/5 August, £5
The innocent village fete: homemade cakes, a farmers market, live music, coconut shies, Morris dances, miles and miles of bunting and more…
- Great Gorilla Run
City of London, 22 September
Could you run 7km dressed as a gorilla? Gorillas are amazing beasts; sign up and play a crucial role in saving the remaining 700 mountain gorillas left in the wild (there will be more runners going ape in the city than wild mountain gorillas). Best of all, you get to keep your gorilla suit!
- 15 Minute Musical
BBC Tickets, 7:30, 3/17/22 August, Broadcasting House, Free
“Radio 4’s ‘15 Minute Musicals’ are delicious musical delicacies. The bitesize yet satisfying musicals take an easily identifiable public figure and give them a West End Musical make-over. The fabricated, sugar-coated story is told in an original, never heard before, musical.” Musicals to be recorded include “Heatherita” – the story of Heather Mills-McCartney, “Noel!” – Noel Edmonds wakes up in 2007 and struggles to return to 1973 and “How Do You Stop a Woman like Camilla”.
- Damien Hirst: Beyond Belief
White Cube Gallery, 3 June - 7 July
Damien Hirst does it again, “For the Love of God” (the scull covered in diamonds) is the most expensive piece of contemporary art ever sold. Possibly your only chance to see it before it is whisked off by the private collector (possibly George Michael) who paid £50 million for it.
- Dig for Victory
Cabinet War Rooms, St James Park, Free
“Find out why people in Britain were encouraged to Dig for Victory and what it was like to live with rationing. Dig for Victory was a response to a wartime problem of food shortages but the campaign reflects things that we are concerned about today – having access to fresh healthy food, being active and living sustainably.” Although the allotment is already open you can watch it grow and learn more about Dig for Victory in three unique weeks throughout the summer, 23-27 July - Green City Week, 27-31 August- Healthy Living Week and 29-30 September - Harvest Fair. Get Growing!
- London to Brighton Bike Ride
Although the 17th 2007 London to Brighton Bike Ride is already full, you can still help to prevent heart disease either by contributing to one of the 27000 riders or by keeping your own heart healthy. So as a legend of Rock once said “Get on your bike and ride”!
- A Mile of Style
Guildhall Art Gallery, 11 April – 30 June, £2.50
“To celebrate the 180 years of Regent Street there will be an exhibition A Mile of Style (12 April – 30 June 2007) at the Guildhall Art Gallery, in the heart of London’s square mile, which will reveal the fascinating story of Europe’s most famous shopping thoroughfare through archival documents, maps, photographs and plans.”
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If you have ideas for next week, or want to have your say, leave a comment or send me an email (info@unearthtravel.com) Jeremy Boote
Amnesty International lecture: Some People think the internet is a bad thing
June 7, 2007
I have commented on the Amnesty International campaign Irrepressible, before. This is a campaign about freedom of speech on the internet. I was lucky enough to attend the AI lecture: Some People think the internet is a bad thing last night, which served as part of the re-launch of the new look website.
Apologies in advance if I have missed the points any of the speakers were trying to make, these notes are how I undertood their arguments.
Martha Lane Fox of Lastminute.com fame gave the keynote speech outlining the differences of the web in 1997 and 2007. A decade ago it was clear that the web had global potential through innovation and disruption of areas of life and business which before and enjoyed setting the status quo. Ten years on there has been a power shift from the sites to the users themselves as well as associated political implications. We should be optimistic about all this technology.
Ron Deibert of the Open Net Initiative points out that filtering is growing around the world and notes that it is US products being used overseas to do this. This theme is picked up on later. He also explains the difference between offensive and passive filtering with the former being used at election time and the latter for general blocking of sites. Governments are becomng increasingly cunning in their intervention with what their people can see which means we should demand more accountability and not take for granted the internet as an open forum.
Sami Ben Garbia a Tunisian cyberdissident points out that there are two groups who think the internet is a bad thing - large entities (governements and coporations) that want to keep control that they historically have not had difficulty in defending and another group all those people around the world who have been imprisoned due to what their governements consider inappropriate use of the internet. He suggests an analogy between antipersonnel mines and filtering software - both created in the West but causing damage elsewhere in the world. We can fight against companies developing this software.
Sina Motalebi was imprisoned in Iran as an example for those that think there is no cost to having freedom of speech online - or this is what the interrogator eventually told him. He spent 23 days in solitary and his mind started to unhinge to the extent that he was interrogating himself. There is an issue that moderate people are scared of such things so the only voices left are the extremists.
Josh Wolf was imprisoned in the United States for refusing to appear for a Grand Jury and for not handing over the data required of him by a subpoena as he feels that the protections given to the ordinary press should be extended to journalists who use online media.
Morton Sklar and Theresa Harris of The World Organization for Human Rights USA point to the corporate respoinsibilty of those that help governements in their evidence gathering against those they see as cyberdissidents. Yahoo were instrumental in the prosecution of Wang Xiaoning, by providing the Chinese government with a great deal of information that most would see as private. Skal points to the fact that companies need to ask themselves if they are happy with the regime in the country they are working in and if so, when following the law in that country, be prepared for the consequences. Yu Ling, Wang Xiaoning’s wife has brought a case against Yahoo in the USA.
Yam Sham-Shakleton talks of the change in Hong Kong when it was under Chinese control and the information she was allowed to post on behalf of the company she worked for. She left soon after but points out that she did have to find a job and it is not simply as easy as just disagreeing with a corporation or a government - money does have to be earnt. Government policy reinforces techinical filtering.
Richard Stallmen who started the Free Software Movement points out that it is not only gateways to sites that are at risk but software itself while being made ’safer’ can be set so that no one in the world can open it, i.e. we are controlled by corporations. The implications for this are extensive, consider court cases and jounalists not being able to verify information. Countries that claim to give freedom tend to take it away.
Kevin Anderson points to the irony of the levelling effect of a free flow of information.
Shava Nerad who works with anonymity tool Tor mentions the tension between technology and social issues. Governements do need the internet but want to control it (otherwise they would simply turn it off).
In the questions sections a number of interesting points were raised. The technologcial arms race does actually involve many socal elements as it is governements that can afford the newest filtering technology whereas the ordinary user is unlikely to be able to do so. Is there too much emphasis on China - as only a msall % of users actually oppose the filtering that occurs? A chap who was an ISP owner in Pakistan points out that he was under the same rules as bloggers - and runs the same risks for refusal to follow government dictates.
There were a few other questions but using the link above you can see the whole podcast for yourself!
Many of these issues are fascinating although realistically we are left with the problem of how much intervention is acceptable? If someone breaks the law in another country (which as far as I can tell a lot of cyberdissidents have done, even though these laws are loosly worded and possibly dubious) surely we should work to get that law changed. In the UK you know that stealing a car is against the law - if you decide that you do not agree with then the consequences are inevitable. I am not suggesting that I agree with these cyber laws and their restrictions on free speech - but if everyone simply did whatever they wished (against the laws as they stand) then they would also lose many of the protections that the law affords them. I would repeat that in China only a small proportion of people actually object to the way the internet is filtered - are these the same people who think it is reasonable to commit theft or arson - or are they trying, indirectly to change the regime they live under? Is there a difference when different laws are broken? Is repression of speech the sign that a group (any: governmental, religious, corporate) is worried about how attractive their ideas are?
This Week, London Top 10: 6th June
June 6, 2007
This week’s list: Will this week change your life?
To subscribe to the weekly email “This Week – London” please send an email to info@unearthtravel.com with the subject “Subscribe”.
- BP Summer Big Screens
Don Giovanni 13 June, Tosca 3rd July, Free
The BP Summer Big Screens, began last week with a spectacular rendition of Swan Lake. If you missed it, don’t worry, there are still two more world class performances to come: Don Giovanni and Tosca. Gather up your friends, pack a picnic and some bubbly and enjoy the sensational Opera in the open air throughout London’s parks and communal spaces.
- More Movies: Open-Air Film Screenings
The Scoop, Tower Bridge, Free, 6-29 June
This summer, The Scoop is putting on a series of Open-Air Film Screenings, starting on the 6th of June with the British Classic “The Italian Job”, however, if Michael Cain doesn’t take you fancy maybe one of the other films being shown will: Thelma & Louise, Memento, Singing in the Rain, Romeo and Juliet, Breakfast at Tiffany’s…
- The Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition
11 June – 19 August, Royal Academy, £8
“The Royal Academy’s annual Summer Exhibition is the world’s largest open submission contemporary art exhibition, with a tradition of showcasing work by unknown and emerging artists alongside that of more established names. The Summer Exhibition attracts about 9,000 paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, prints and architectural models.”
- Catford Beer Festival
6-9 June, £1.50-£3.50, Catford
There will be over 70 Real Ales, a large range of Imported Beers, Ciders and Perries.
- Chuckle Club - Andy Parsons
9 June, Doors open 19:45, £10 for non-students
This week the long running LSE comedy evening will be graced by the immensely funny (my favourite comedian) Andy Parsons. After the comedy, enjoy the late licence bar running till 3am and dance the night away with free entry to the disco. BEWARE: The disco is full of students - all showing a striking similarity to Russell Brand.
- The Overture – Southbank Centre
Free, 8-10 June
This weekend celebrates the re-opening,after two years of restoration and redevelopment, of the Royal Festival Hall. The entire 21 Acres of the Southbank Centre will come alive with continual performances from Friday evening until Sunday. Prepare for a helter skelter, music, garden sheds, dance as well as “special events” in the Hall itself. Even if you can’t make it to the opening make sure you don’t miss “Jarvis Cocker’s Meltdown” or “Carmen Jones”, book now.
- Peter Harrison Planetarium
Royal Observatory, £6
The Peter Harrison Planetarium is brand spanking new, so: “Let a real astronomer take you on a journey through time and space in London’s only live planetarium. Providing a magnificent introduction to the mysteries and wonders of the universe, this visually captivating show gives an exhilarating virtual tour of outer space.”
- Hampton Court Palace Festival
Hampton Court, June 8-19
The Hampton Court Palace Festival is celebrating its 15th anniversary. This year there are untold delights, ranging from one of the world’s greatest opera singers, José Carreras, to the phenomenal live performer Tom Jones, the legendary Buena Vista Social Club, Jools Holland, Van Morrison, Lesley Garret and more. So, head out to Henry VIII’s palace and enjoy the intimate open-air setting and world class music.
- Jazz Plus
Free, 5 June – 24 July
“The UK’s finest contemporary jazz artists are featured in this open air lunchtime concert season in the very pleasant setting of Victoria Embankment Gardens, Villers Street, WC2 right beside the River Thames and next to Embankment tube station.”
- Springwatch Garden Party BBC
9 June, 1-6pm, Memorial Recreation Ground, West Ham
Birds, Bats, Bees, Trees, Butterflies and Bill Oddie. What more could one ask for?
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If you have ideas for next week, or want to have your say, leave a comment or send me an email (info@unearthtravel.com) Jeremy Boote
